Chris Creighton sat in his office Wednesday, getting ready to watch film with his Eastern Michigan football players and fellow coaches.

This was just another day at the office, literally, for the Eagles' fourth-year head coach.

But, unlike past days, there was a different vibe floating around the football complex in Ypsilanti.

Eastern Michigan (2-0) is coming off a historic victory, 16-13, over Rutgers last weekend in Piscataway, N.J. It was the Eagles' first win against a Big Ten opponent in 39 overall tries, and first win against a Power-5 school in 59 tries.

"At the banquet in January, that's when we'll celebrate cool moments," said Creighton, who came to Ypsilanti after a successful coaching stint at Drake. "We're far from having reached our goal."

The "goal" is a second consecutive postseason berth - and finishing with a win. Eastern, making its first bowl appearance since 1987, lost to Old Dominion, 24-20, in last year's Bahamas Bowl, finishing 7-6. The Eagles were a combined 3-21 in 2014-15.

Even with his focus on the ultimate prize, Creighton said the Rutgers' win could provide a spark for his surging program.

"Doing something for the first time in 126 years (of football), hopefully that makes us more hungry," he said. "I'm about to show these guys clips from the game, and some are really bad. Just so we're all clear: we are far, far, far from the finish."

Creighton, since arriving at Eastern, has instilled philosophies, themes and mottos into his players. One of the most important: "Flushing" memories of the last game - win or loss - after 24 hours. At that point, the team needs to focus on its next opponent.

However, since the Eagles have a bye this week and next play a home game Sept. 23 against defending Mid-American Conference East champion Ohio (1-1), Creighton broke his own rule and gave players 48 hours to enjoy the Rutgers triumph.

"Obviously, it was a great win for our program," sixth-year senior linebacker Ike Spearman said Wednesday. "But going forward, we have to learn from the mistakes we made. We could have played so much better. We still have pivotal games ahead."

Creighton was pleasantly surprised with the "mild" celebration his players exhibited after the Rutgers game, saying it shows the team's maturity and expectation to win each week, regardless of the opponent.

"It was not pandemonium. It was not euphoric," Creighton said. "The guys were happy and congratulating each other, there were some hugs, and we sang the school fight song. But it wasn't over the top, and to me, was a really positive sign."

Starting defensive end Jeremiah Harris, a redshirt junior and former prep standout at Bedford Senior, said there was no reason to throw a massive celebration in Piscataway. Rutgers (0-2) is on an 11-game losing streak dating to last season.

"We went in there expecting to win - and we did," said Harris, who made the game-ending sack with Rutgers driving late in the fourth quarter. "It wasn't a surprise to us. Honestly, I think people are starting to realize, 'Hey, Eastern Michigan is actually for real.'

"I wouldn't say a win over Rutgers is monumental for the program. Historically, it might be, but we don't care about that. We're just trying to win the game."

Led by a staunch defense, which held Rutgers scoreless in the fourth, Eastern did win the game. Upon arriving back in Ypsilanti, players were well received around campus and the city.

"We do get more recognition now," said redshirt junior Ross Williams, a starting cornerback and former Birmingham Groves standout. "I was at the barbershop on Sunday, and they were saying they watched the game. When you win, more people show support."

With Creighton's 48-hour rule expiring Wednesday, it was back to work for the Eagles, who don't expect a letdown against Ohio, despite coming off an early-season bye.

"I wish we were playing this Saturday," Williams said. "But it's good to have a bye; there's so much we can learn, so much we can improve. We had a good program win, but need to build on it."

Creighton, who also had previous successful coaching stops at Ottawa University (Kansas) and Wabash College (Indiana) before taking the Drake job in 2008, originally signed a five-year contract with the Eagles. This summer, he received a four-year extension, keeping him in Ypsilanti through 2022.

"Going back to 2014, I had a one-year plan and five-year plan," Creighton said of his first season at Eastern. "I was giving 100 percent to our football team from Day 1. You're always building for the future, but you don't want to comprise the here and now. You start the process of becoming a successful program."

Eastern can solidify its rising reputation with an important win over Ohio.

"We have to show the MAC that we're for real," Spearman said. "Rutgers is out of our mind. We're preparing for Ohio."